My Story

Meet Tamica Lee

Like most women in their 30’s, Tamica Lee is a woman who does it all. Married for 10 years to the love of her life, Barry Smith, Tamica works full time and is also a mother to two children, stepson Hunter, 16 and Rani, 9.

A New Orleans native, Tamica is busy balancing her work as the Co-Host of “News with a Twist” for New Orleans ABC affiliate, WGNO-26 with her extensive charity work and family life. Tamica is also a die-hard Saints fan and has close ties to the organization.

Her late father, Bivan Lee, Jr. was a cornerback for the New Orleans Saints from 1971-76. Starting in junior high school, Tamica performed at New Orleans Saints games in various halftime shows. From 2001-2005, she served as a member of the New Orleans Saints Cheerleading squad, the New Orleans Saintsations. Currently, she works as the Appearance Team coordinator for the New Orleans Saintsations and works closely with her brother, Sonny, on his non-profit mentorship foundation, Son of A Saint. The foundation was established in honor of their father.

“My father’s sudden death devastated our family”, explains Tamica. “My mother was suddenly a single mother with two young children. Our involvement with the Saints organization was a way for my mother to keep my father’s presence alive. Cheering and dancing provided me with an after-school activity that kept me healthy, focused and taught me the importance of teamwork.”

After graduating high school from Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, Tamica enrolled at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, where she majored in Communications and Dance. Live Event Director/Choreographer Lesslee Fitzmorris offered Tamica a job at her company which specializes in large-scale sporting events. Tamica accepted and started to hone her leadership skills as she was handed the task of teaching hundreds of high school dancers and coordinating logistics. She traveled the world and worked along-side Fitzmorris on many Super Bowl pregame shows and with major talent from the entertainment world. “To witness a woman working in a male-dominated organization on an international level was truly empowering,”states Tamica. She parlayed her experiences into her own ventures and founded the Advance Dance Agency and t.Lee Vision.

A sudden health scare resulted in the removal of a large tumor in her back. “That event literally changed my life,”states Tamica. I always wanted to be in television so I decided it was now or never. I approached New Orleans WWL-TV about the possibility of working. When Super Bowl came to town, I was asked to do a piece on the activities and people involved.

After the airing, New Orleans CBS affiliate WWL-TV called and offered a full-time job as their Morning Traffic Anchor. The job was a dream come true. Although the job required her to rise at 3:00 am, she was able to learn and develop as a reporter and anchor. According to Tamica, “When I was 8 years old I told my mother I wanted to work alongside my idol, Sally Ann Roberts. To actually sit next to her on a daily basis was surreal and a true blessing.”

Tamica is married to Barry Smith, owner of First Team Athletic Apparel and Fuel Center of Fitness. The dynamic couple is seen regularly at various charity and social events in New Orleans. “Giving back to the community is important to both of us,” states Tamica. Trying to balance work, family, husband, and a job is hard work. As Tamica constantly points out,“the struggle is real” to keep everything going.” I’m just like all working Moms, trying to always find that balance.” We love our hometown, it’s people and food! Just like our city, we’re authentic and real…we are New Orleans through and through.”

In her latest venture as a cast member of Bravo's Southern Charm New Orleans, Tamica is unleashing her personal charm to the world. Stay tuned, because she's just getting started!

Luxurious Lash Line

The line launches April 20th but I’m taking pre-orders now so we can get them ready to ship as soon as they arrive.